ATTACHMENTS TO SIN HINDER THE GOSPEL - 9/17/22 (Memorial of St. Robert Bellarmine)

Luke 8:12

“Those on the path are the ones who have heard, but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts that they may not believe and be saved.”  

For the full readings, click here: 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091722.cfm

Blessed Memorial of St. Robert Bellarmine! In today's gospel reading, we reas the parable of the sower. Jesus speaks of how the seed grows and bears fruit when it lands on the good soil. These fruits represents the virtues and good works that will come out of a genuine faith and devotion to God. At the same time, we are promised of eternal life in heaven and the reward that awaits us in heaven is Jesus Himself. As such, it's necessary for our hearts to be good soils for the gospel. But, our Lord Jesus also warns us that some seeds fell among thorns, other seeds were withered away and others are devoured by birds. These are all different imagery for the fact that because of our attachments to sins, our faith do not bear fruit and we may fall to sins. What should we do to for us to be more faithful to the gospel?

First, it's important for us to know our attachments to sins. Just as Jesus desired for the crowd to know, in the parable, what hindered the growth of the seed, He also desires for us to know our own weaknesses for us to avoid them. The devil always tempt us with satisfactions. All sins involve satisfactions in some form or another. This is why we have our attachments where we always keep on falling to the same sins over and over. This may be speaking of negative words towards another. For some, it may be fantasizing people lustfully. There are also other people who become angry when they realize their sins, either by knowing the teachings of Christ and the Church or by hearing them from others. To admit to God that we have attachments to sins will make us more open to God's graces for us to be transformed by His mercy. 

Second, we can be able to resist the temptations that make us more attach to sins by knowing how bad and ugly these sins are. In the parable, Jesus warns us that there are seeds that are devoured by birds, withered away due to lack of moisture and choked by the thorns. Our Lord is showing us the negative effects of sins in the parable for us to despise them. God is telling us to not find satisfaction in such sins. When we are tempted by the devil, all that he shows us is the satisfaction and the "good benefits" that we may use to excuse ourselves, but we don't see how offensive it to God and how we can endanger our souls due to our sins. Besides those that are stated above, one example of sin that we should renounce and stay away from is the occult. Some people, due to their desire to be healed or be alleviated from sufferings, seek faith healers (Albularyo in Filipino), fortune tellers, horoscope, lucky charms, and many more. We may not see that by engaging in these actions and other sins, we may be harming our souls even more because we may no longer depend on God but mix the Truth with those of false religions and belief systems. Let's not be afraid to reflect on how ugly these sins are before God because by doing so, we will have more strength from God to trust in Him and reject sins. 

Lastly, our hearts should be empty for us to bear more fruit. As Jesus teaches us, there are people who yield hundredfold. Our goal in life should not just be to give glory to God, but it is to give Him the greatest glory as possible. One way is by being more aware of God's presence in our prayer. It's because besides the sacraments, such as the Mass and confession which are necessary for our salvation, prayer is necessary for us to receive Gods help in our daily life. But, when we pray, what do we think of? Do we speak to God by recognizing that He is truly our King? Do we see ourselves as sinners when we speak to Christ? If we are praying to God but consciously think of many worldly things, not just that this does not glorify God, but we make ourselves easier to fall to distractions. When God speaks to us, all of His attention is to us, and it shows how merciful and loving God is. May we choose to be recollected in prayer, be aware to His presence, and be stronger by God's grace to reject the attachments to sins. Jesus told the crowd to hear those who had ears. This is the same message for us, to hear to the good news of God's mercy and salvation. 

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic

Life of St. Robert Bellarmine:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/september-17---saint-robert-bellarmine-bishop-and-doctor--optional-memorial/

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth

Amazing Testimony on Rosary:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=FFyRwJBExMk

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/